Short-term effects of alcohol on peripheral blood flow, platelet aggregation and noradrenaline output in normal man

The effects of acute oral administration of alcohol on finger and forearm blood flow, platelet aggregation and plasma noradrenaline were examined over a three-hour period in a group of healthy male volunteers. Finger blood flow was increased at 15, 30 and 60 min and skin temperature was raised at 30 and 60 min. Digital systolic blood pressure was decreased at 15 and 30 min. No change in forearm blood flow was observed. A linear correlation was observed between finger blood flow, skin temperature and plasma alcohol concentrations. No significant changes were observed in platelet aggregation nor in plasma noradrenaline levels. Alcohol appears to have a greater effect on digital and skin blood flow as compared with muscle blood flow.